U.S. patent number 8,408,610 [Application Number 12/506,781] was granted by the patent office on 2013-04-02 for door handle apparatus.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha. The grantee listed for this patent is Kiyokazu Ieda, Eiji Mushiake. Invention is credited to Kiyokazu Ieda, Eiji Mushiake.
United States Patent |
8,408,610 |
Ieda , et al. |
April 2, 2013 |
Door handle apparatus
Abstract
A door handle apparatus includes first and second handle cases
constituting a door handle, a rotational-portion extending portion,
an operational-portion extending portion, and a lock detection
electrode of an electrostatic capacity sensor detecting that a door
lock command is inputted, on the basis of a fluctuation of
electrostatic capacity. The lock detection electrode includes an
upper lock detection electrode and a lower lock detection electrode
arranged to face an inner surface of an upper wall and an inner
surface of a lower wall, respectively. A first electrode end
surface of the upper lock detection electrode and a second
electrode end surface of the lower lock detection electrode are
formed into different shapes, so that a level of capacitive
coupling between the lower lock detection electrode and the outer
panel is set to be smaller than a level of capacitive coupling
between the upper lock detection electrode and the outer panel.
Inventors: |
Ieda; Kiyokazu (Kariya,
JP), Mushiake; Eiji (Chita-gun, JP) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ieda; Kiyokazu
Mushiake; Eiji |
Kariya
Chita-gun |
N/A
N/A |
JP
JP |
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|
Assignee: |
Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
(Kariya-Shi, Aichi-Ken, JP)
|
Family
ID: |
41319768 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/506,781 |
Filed: |
July 21, 2009 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20100019510 A1 |
Jan 28, 2010 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Jul 24, 2008 [JP] |
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2008-191079 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
292/336.3;
296/50; 292/1; 292/138; 292/173 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05B
77/34 (20130101); E05B 81/78 (20130101); E05B
85/16 (20130101); Y10T 292/03 (20150401); Y10T
292/1014 (20150401); Y10T 292/0994 (20150401); Y10T
292/57 (20150401); E05B 81/77 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E05C
1/12 (20060101); E05C 19/00 (20060101); E05C
1/06 (20060101); E05B 3/00 (20060101); B60P
1/267 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;292/173,336.3,DIG.53,DIG.54,138,DIG.30,1 ;296/50 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2002-295094 |
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Oct 2002 |
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JP |
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3502848 |
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Mar 2004 |
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JP |
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WO 03/029049 |
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Apr 2003 |
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WO |
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WO 03/071067 |
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Aug 2003 |
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WO |
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WO 03/071068 |
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Aug 2003 |
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WO |
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WO 2006/069633 |
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Jul 2006 |
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WO |
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WO 2009/017048 |
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Feb 2009 |
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WO |
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WO 2009/017049 |
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Feb 2009 |
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WO |
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Primary Examiner: Beach; Thomas
Assistant Examiner: Cumar; Nathan
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A door handle apparatus for a vehicle comprising: a door handle
including a first handle case and a second handle case, the first
handle case having a holding portion for holding the door handle,
the holding portion being arranged to be distant from an outer
surface of an outer panel of a vehicle door by a clearance, the
second handle case serving as an outer portion of the door handle
and being arranged to cover the first handle case; a
rotational-portion extending portion provided in the vicinity of
one end portion of the door handle in a longitudinal direction
thereof and extending into the outer panel after passing
therethrough to connect a rotational portion that is rotatably
supported by a supporting member inside the outer panel; and an
operational-portion extending portion formed in the vicinity of the
other end portion of the door handle in the longitudinal direction
thereof and extending into the outer panel after passing
therethrough to connect an operational portion operating an opening
and closing mechanism of the vehicle door, the operational-portion
extending portion being provided with a lock detection electrode of
an electrostatic capacity sensor, the lock detection electrode
being arranged to face an inner surface of the second handle case
facing the outer panel, the electrostatic capacity sensor detecting
that a door lock command is inputted, on the basis of a fluctuation
of electrostatic capacity, wherein the lock detection electrode
includes an upper lock detection electrode and a lower lock
detection electrode arranged to face an inner surface of an upper
wall of the second handle case facing the outer panel and an inner
surface of a lower wall of the second handle case facing the outer
panel, respectively, wherein the upper lock detection electrode
establishes a first capacitive coupling with the outer panel and
the lower lock detection electrode establishes a second capacitive
coupling with the outer panel, and wherein a first electrode end
surface of the upper lock detection electrode and a second
electrode end surface of the lower lock detection electrode, each
of which faces the outer panel, are formed into different shapes
from each other, so that a level of the second capacitive coupling
established between the lower lock detection electrode and the
outer panel is set to be smaller than a level of the first
capacitive coupling established between the upper lock detection
electrode and the outer panel.
2. The door handle apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
second electrode end surface of the lower lock detection electrode
is formed so that a distance between the second electrode end
surface of the lower lock detection electrode and the outer panel
is set to be greater than a distance between the first electrode
end surface of the upper lock detection electrode and the outer
panel.
3. The door handle apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
second electrode end surface of the lower lock detection electrode
is formed so that a dimension of the second electrode end surface
of the lower lock detection electrode is set to be smaller than a
dimension of the first electrode end surface of the upper lock
detection electrode.
4. The door handle apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
upper wall and the lower wall of the second handle case are formed
to be asymmetrical to each other with respect to a middle line
extending from the rotational-portion extending portion to the
operational-portion extending portion.
5. The door handle apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
upper lock detection electrode and the lower lock detection
electrode are integrally formed via a connecting portion.
6. The door handle apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the
upper lock detection electrode and the lower lock detection
electrode are integrally formed by pressing a metal plate.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119 to Japanese Patent Application 2008-191079, filed on Jul.
24, 2008, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a door handle apparatus having a
function of detecting a command for locking a vehicle door and the
like.
BACKGROUND
A door handle apparatus, on which a Smart Entry System (trademark)
is mounted, is known, in which, for example, it is recognized that
a user approaches a vehicle or that the user gets out of the
vehicle, on the basis of a communication between a portable device,
carried by the user, and a transmission device of the vehicle,
while it is detected that a door lock command or a door unlock
command is inputted by the user relative to a vehicle door in order
to automatically execute locking and unlocking operations. Such
door handle apparatus is disclosed in JP3502848A.
As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, according to the door handle
apparatus disclosed in JP3502848A, an unlock sensor S.sub.ULK for
detecting an unlock command of a user is arranged at a holding
portion 110, at which a hand of the user may be inserted between an
outer panel 200 of a vehicle door and a door handle 100. Further, a
lock sensor S.sub.LK for detecting a lock command of the user is
arranged at an operational-portion extending portion 120, the
operational-portion extending portion 120 being arranged at the
door handle 100 to be adjacent to the holding portion 110 and
extending from a portion for operating an opening and closing
mechanism of the vehicle door. The lock sensor S.sub.LK and the
unlock sensor S.sub.ULK are electrostatic capacitance sensors,
which detect a fluctuation of the electrostatic capacitance. The
lock sensor S.sub.LK and the unlock sensor S.sub.ULK detect the
fluctuation of the electrostatic capacitance, which is generated
when the hand of the user approaches a vicinity of each detection
electrode of the lock sensor S.sub.LK and the unlock sensor
S.sub.ULK, and thereby determining that the lock command or the
unlock command are inputted. More specifically, a value of
electrostatic capacity C.sub.PANEL, which is established between
the outer panel 200 of the vehicle door and the detection electrode
of the lock sensor S.sub.LK, is set as a standard value, and when a
value of electrostatic capacity detected by the lock sensor
S.sub.LK does not fluctuate for a great extent from the value of
electrostatic capacity C.sub.PANEL, it is determined that the
unlock command is not inputted. When the hand of the user
approaches the vicinity of the detection electrode, another
electrostatic capacity C.sub.T is established between the detection
electrode and the hand of the user so as to be in parallel with the
electrostatic capacity C.sub.PANEL (i.e., C.sub.PANEL+C.sub.T).
Therefore, when the value of the electrostatic capacity, detected
by the lock sensor S.sub.LK, is increased by a level corresponding
to the value of electrostatic capacity C.sub.T, it is determined
that the lock command is inputted. The detection principle may be
applied to the unlock sensor S.sub.ULK. According to the door
handle apparatus disclosed in JP3502848A, the lock sensor S.sub.LK
and the unlock sensor S.sub.ULK are arranged at different portions
of the door handle 100. Therefore, the lock command and the unlock
command are detected in response to an operation of the user who
touches the different portions of the door handle 100.
According to the door handle apparatus disclosed in JP3502848A,
however, as illustrated in FIG. 10, a lock detection electrode (the
lock sensor S.sub.LK) is arranged at an end portion of an outer
surface of the holding portion 110 (i.e., a surface of the holding
portion 110 opposite from the outer panel 200). Therefore, when the
user inserts his/her hand between the holding portion 110 and the
outer panel 200 in order to unlock the vehicle door, and then pulls
the door handle 100 in order to open the vehicle door, the user may
accidentally touch a detection area of the lock sensor S.sub.LK
with his/her hand. In such a case, both of the unlock command of
the unlock sensor S.sub.LK and the lock command of the lock sensor
S.sub.LK may be outputted simultaneously, and an appropriate
command may not be inputted. Further, the user may touch the
detection area of the lock sensor S.sub.LK with his/her hand when
the vehicle door is opened, and thereby a locking operation may be
unintentionally executed. Thus, an operation, which is not intended
by the user, may be executed.
A need thus exists for a door handle apparatus, which is not
susceptible to the drawback mentioned above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to an aspect of the present invention, a door handle
apparatus for a vehicle includes a door handle including a first
handle case and a second handle case, the first handle case having
a holding portion for holding the door handle, the holding portion
being arranged to be distant from an outer surface of an outer
panel of a vehicle door by a clearance, the second handle case
serving as an outer portion of the door handle and being arranged
to cover the first handle case;
a rotational-portion extending portion provided in the vicinity of
one end portion of the door handle in a longitudinal direction
thereof and extending into the outer panel after passing
therethrough to connect a rotational portion that is rotatably
supported by a supporting member inside the outer panel; and
an operational-portion extending portion formed in the vicinity of
the other end portion of the door handle in the longitudinal
direction thereof and extending into the outer panel after passing
therethrough to connect an operational portion operating an opening
and closing mechanism of the vehicle door, the operational-portion
extending portion being provided with a lock detection electrode of
an electrostatic capacity sensor, the lock detection electrode
being arranged to face an inner surface of the second handle case
facing the outer panel, the electrostatic capacity sensor detecting
that a door lock command is inputted, on the basis of a fluctuation
of electrostatic capacity, wherein the lock detection electrode
includes an upper lock detection electrode and a lower lock
detection electrode arranged to face an inner surface of an upper
wall of the second handle case facing the outer panel and an inner
surface of a lower wall of the second handle case facing the outer
panel, respectively, and wherein a first electrode end surface of
the upper lock detection electrode and a second electrode end
surface of the lower lock detection electrode, each of which faces
the outer panel, are formed into different shapes from each other,
so that a level of capacitive coupling established between the
lower lock detection electrode and the outer panel is set to be
smaller than a level of capacitive coupling established between the
upper lock detection electrode and the outer panel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and additional features and characteristics of the
present invention will become more apparent from the following
detailed description considered with the reference to the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a
door handle apparatus according to an embodiment taken along line
I-I (i.e., middle line m) in FIG. 2;
FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating the configuration of the door
handle apparatus according to the embodiment, when seen from a side
where the door handle apparatus is mounted (i.e., a side of a
vehicle);
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a portion of
the door handle apparatus according to the embodiment extending
from a rotational-portion extending portion to a holding
portion;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a lock detection
electrode of the door handle apparatus according to the
embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an
equivalent circuit and a door lock system of the door handle
apparatus according to the embodiment;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of
the door handle apparatus taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of
the door handle apparatus taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a lock detection
electrode of the door handle apparatus according to a modified
embodiment;
FIG. 9 is a front view illustrating a configuration of a
conventional door handle apparatus; and
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of
the conventional door handle apparatus taken along line X-X in FIG.
9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
An embodiment of a door handle apparatus, on which a Smart Entry
System (trademark) is mounted, will be described hereinafter with
reference to the attached FIGS. 1 to 7.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, a door handle 10 of the door handle
apparatus is configured by a splitable body, which may be split
into two portions including a first handle case 11 and a second
handle case 12. The first handle case 11 includes a holding portion
11a for holding the door handle 10, arranged to be distant away
from an outer surface of an outer panel 20 of a vehicle door by a
clearance GP. The second handle case 12 serves as an outer portion
of the door handle 10 and is connected to the first handle case 11
by means of screws and the like, so as to cover the first handle
case 11. The door handle 10 is configured by a splitable body,
which may be split into two portions so that the door handle 10 is
designed and manufactured more freely and more easily. Both of the
first and second handle cases 11 and 12 are made of highly-rigid
resin.
The second handle case 12 includes a rotational-portion extending
portion 12b, provided in the vicinity of one end portion of the
handle case 12 in a longitudinal direction of the door handle 10,
and extends so as to penetrate through the outer panel 20 of the
vehicle door from a rotational portion 12a. The rotational portion
12a is rotatably supported by a supporting member 21, which is
provided at an inner side of the outer panel 20. Likewise, the
second handle case 12 further includes an operational-portion
extending portion 12d, provided in the vicinity of the other end
portion of the second handle case 12 being more distant from the
rotational-portion extending portion 12b than the holding portion
11a in the longitudinal direction of the door handle 10, and
extending so as to penetrate through the outer panel 20 from an
operational portion 12c. The operational portion 12c used for
operating a lever 22 of a door opening and closing mechanism, which
is arranged at the inner side of the outer panel 20. When a user
pulls the door handle 10 in a manner of holding the holding portion
11a, the door handle 10 is pivoted about the rotational-portion
extending portion 12b in a direction where the operational-portion
extending portion 12d is pulled out, Consequently, unless the
vehicle door is in a locked state, the lever 22 is operated by
means of the operational portion 12c, and thereby the vehicle door
is opened.
A middle line m is set along a longitudinal direction of a portion
extending from the rotational-portion extending portion 12b to the
operational-portion extending portion 12d. As illustrated in FIG.
2, an upper wall 12e and a lower wall 12f of the second handle case
12 is formed to be asymmetrical to each other relative to the
middle line ("upper" and "lower" used hereinafter correspond to an
upper and lower direction (or vertical direction) of the vehicle,
respectively). An uneven-shaped serration 12g is formed on surfaces
of the upper and lower walls 12e and 12f of the second handle case
12, though detailed description of a configuration of the serration
12g using a diagram is not provided. The serration 12g guides a
water drop W, which may fall on surfaces of upper and lower walls
12e and 12f of the second handle case 12 due to rain and the like,
to flow easily. The serration 12g also serves as a marking.
A circuit substrate 30, on which electric components are mounted,
is assembled on a surface of the first handle case 11 facing the
second handle case 12 and is arranged between the holding portion
11a thereof and the rotational-portion extending portion 12b of the
second handle case 12. A lock detection electrode 31 of a first
electrostatic capacity sensor 41 (an electrostatic capacity sensor)
is electrically connected to the circuit substrate 30. The first
electrostatic capacity sensor 41 detects a command for locking the
vehicle door (i.e., the command for locking the vehicle door is
inputted in response to an operation of the user having an
intention of locking the vehicle door) on the basis of fluctuation
of the electrostatic capacity. The lock detection electrode 31 is
arranged so as to face an inner surface of the second handle case
12. The lock detection electrode 31 integrally includes an upper
lock detection electrode 36 and a lower lock detection electrode
37, which are arranged between the holding portion 11a and the
rotational-portion extending portion 12b so as to face inner
surfaces of the upper and lower walls 12e and 12f of the second
handle case 12, respectively. "Inner surface of the second handle
case 12 (the upper and lower walls 12e and 12f)" used hereinafter
refer to a surface of the second handle case 12 (the upper and
lower walls 12e and 12f) facing the outer panel 20 of the vehicle
door.
An unlock detection electrode 32 of a second electrostatic capacity
sensor 42 is provided at an inner surface of the holding portion
11a of the first handle case 11 facing the second handle case 12.
The second electrostatic capacity sensor 42 detects a command for
unlocking the vehicle door on the basis of fluctuation of the
electrostatic capacity (i.e., the command for unlocking the vehicle
door is inputted in response to an operation of the user having an
intention of unlocking the vehicle door). The unlock detection
electrode 32 is electrically connected to an electrode, which is
mounted on the circuit substrate 30 so as to serve as a sensor
input terminal. Further, an antenna 33 is provided in the vicinity
of the inner surface of the holding portion 11a of the first handle
case 11. Information signals are transmitted between a portable
device carried by the user and a door control portion 60 via the
antenna 33 in order to authenticate the user, for example. The
antenna 33 is electrically connected to an electrode, which is
mounted on the circuit substrate 30 so as to serve as a feed
terminal. Further, the antenna 33 and a sensor IC 40, which is
connected to each of the first and second electrostatic capacity
sensors 41 and 42 and is mounted on the circuit substrate 30, are
supplied with electricity via a connector 34, which is provided at
a back surface of the circuit substrate 30, while information
signals outputted by the sensor IC 40 are inputted into the door
control portion 60 via the connector 34.
A detailed description of a configuration of the lock detection
electrode 31 will be described hereinafter with reference to FIGS.
3 and 4.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the upper lock detection electrode 36 and
the lower lock detection electrode 37 of the lock detection
electrode 31 are formed to be asymmetrical to each other relative
to the above-mentioned middle line m of the door handle 10. More
specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the upper lock detection
electrode 36 is formed in a substantially trapezoid shape having a
first short side 36a and a second short side 36b that is longer
than the first short side 36a, at front and rear sides of the
vehicle, respectively. On the other hand, the lower lock detection
electrode 37 is formed into a substantially rectangular shape
(i.e., the substantially rectangular shape is formed in a manner
where a triangular-shaped end portion of a substantially trapezoid
shape illustrated by a double-dashed line in FIG. 4 facing the
outer panel 20 is cut out) having a third short side 37a and a
fourth short side 37b at the front and rear side of the vehicle,
respectively. A first electrode end surface 36c and a second
electrode end surface 37c, which respectively serve as longitudinal
sides of the upper and lower lock detection electrodes 36 and 37,
and which face the outer panel 20, are formed into different shapes
from each other. The upper and lower lock detection electrodes 36
and 37 are formed so that a distance between the outer panel 20 and
the second electrode end surface 37c is longer than a distance
between the outer panel 20 and the first electrode end surface 36c.
Therefore, a level of capacitive coupling established between the
outer panel 20 and the second electrode end surface 37c of the
lower lock detection electrode 37 is smaller than a level of
capacitive coupling established between the outer panel 20 and the
first electrode end surface 36c of the upper lock detection
electrode 36 by a level corresponding to a difference in distance
between the outer panel 20 and each of the first and second
electrode end surfaces 36c and 37c.
The lock detection electrode 31 includes a plate-shaped connecting
portion 38, which extends uprightly from the circuit substrate 30
for a predetermined height. A first end portion 38a and a second
end portion 38b of the connecting portion 38 are bent so as to
extend further uprightly from to the circuit substrate 30, and are
connected to a first base end portion 36d of the upper lock
detection electrode 36 and a second base end portion 37d of the
lower lock detection electrode 37, respectively. Accordingly, the
upper lock detection electrode 36 and the lower lock detection
electrode 37 are integrally connected to each other via the
connecting portion 38.
A detection principle and an operation with respect to a door lock
will be described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 5.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, according to the door handle apparatus
shown in FIG. 1, the capacitive coupling, having a value of
electrostatic capacity C.sub.PANEL 1, is established between the
upper lock detection electrode 36 and the outer panel 20 of the
vehicle door, serving as a first ground GND1, while the capacitive
coupling, having an electrostatic capacity value C.sub.PANEL 2, is
established between the lower lock detection electrode 37 and the
outer panel 20 of the vehicle door, serving as the first ground
GND1. A sum of the values of the electrostatic capacity C.sub.PANEL
(i.e., C.sub.PANEL=C.sub.PANEL 1+C.sub.PANEL 2) is inputted into
the first electrostatic capacity sensor 41, which is connected to
the sensor IC 40 via the lock detection electrode 31.
When the user touches a portion of the second handle case 12 of the
door handle 10, facing to the lock detection electrode 31 (the
upper lock detection electrode 36 and the lower locking operation
detecting operation 37) with his/her hand, another capacitive
coupling, having a value of electrostatic capacity C.sub.T, is
established between the lock detection electrode 31 and the user,
which serves as a second ground GND2, so as to be electrically in
parallel with the above-described capacitive coupling, having the
values of electrostatic capacity C.sub.PANEL 1 and C.sub.PANEL 2. A
sum of the values of electrostatic capacity (C.sub.PANEL+C.sub.T)
is inputted into the first electrostatic capacity sensor 41.
Consequently, the first electrostatic capacity sensor 41 detects
that the command for locking the vehicle door is inputted, on the
basis of the fact that the inputted sum of the electrostatic
capacity is increased from the value of the electrostatic capacity
C.sub.PANEL 1 by the value of electrostatic capacity C.sub.T. When
the first electrostatic capacity sensor 41 detects that the command
for locking the vehicle door is inputted, the door control portion
60 determines that the command for locking the vehicle door is
inputted in response to an operation of the user, on the basis of
the detection signal inputted into the first electrostatic capacity
sensor 41. Consequently, the door control portion 60 controls to
drive an actuator 81 for locking the vehicle door, which is
provided at a locking mechanism 80, via a driver circuit 70, and
thereby the vehicle door is locked. The above-described detection
principle and the operation may be applied to an unlocking system,
in which the vehicle door is unlocked by means of the unlock
detection electrode 32 together with the second electrostatic
capacity sensor 42, embedded in the sensor IC 40. As described
above, in the door handle apparatus according to the embodiment,
the lock detection electrode 31 is arranged so as to face the inner
surfaces of the upper and lower walls 12e and 12f of the second
handle case 12. Therefore, even when the user holds the door
handle, the command for locking the vehicle door may not be
inputted in response to the holding operation of the door handle 10
by the user. In other words, an operational error may not occur
with respect to a door lock operation of the user.
As described above, the lock detection electrode 31 (the upper lock
detection electrode 36 and the lower lock detection electrode 37)
is arranged so as to face the upper and lower walls 12e and 12f of
the second handle case 12. Further, a case of the door handle 10 is
configured by the splitable body, which may be split into the first
and second handle cases 11 and 12. Accordingly, the following issue
may not be ignored. As illustrated in FIG. 6 with a cross-sectional
view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 1, a space portion generated
between the outer panel 20 and each of the first and second
electrode end surfaces 36c and 37c of the upper and lower lock
detection electrodes 36 and 37 becomes narrower when each detection
range of the upper and lower lock detection electrodes 36 and 37 is
expanded. Therefore, the water drop W may easily flow into the
space portion generated between the outer panel 20 and each of the
electrode end surfaces 36c and 37c of the upper and lower lock
detection electrodes 36 and 37. Further, because the case of the
door handle 10 is configured by the splitable body, which may be
split into the two portions, the water drop W may approach a
vicinity of (i.e., come in contact with) the upper and lower lock
detection electrodes 36 and 37. In a case where the water drop W
approaches the vicinity of (i.e., comes in contact with) the upper
and lower lock detection electrodes 36 and 37, electrostatic
capacitive components C.sub.PANEL 1 (W) and C.sub.PANEL 2 (W) may
be increased because electric permittivity of dielectric body is
increased at a portion between the outer panel 20 and each of the
upper and lower lock detection electrodes 36 and 37 (more
specifically, at a shortest facing portion), where capacitive
coupling is established. The "shortest facing portion" mentioned
hereinafter refers to a portion where the outer panel 20 and each
of the upper and lower lock detection electrodes 36 and 37 face
each other and a distance therebetween is shortest. Because the
water drop W may flow from upper to lower portions of the door
handle 10, water may accumulate at an inside of the lower portion
of the door handle 10, and therefore, the electrostatic capacitive
component C.sub.PANEL 2 (W) may be increased. Consequently, the
increased electrostatic capacitive component C.sub.PANEL 2 (W) may
become a major part of the electrostatic capacity C.sub.PANEL,
which is established between the lock detection electrode 31 and
the outer panel 20, and as a result, the first electrostatic
capacity sensor 41 may malfunction in response to an unintended
command for locking the vehicle door.
On the other hand, in the door handle apparatus according to the
embodiment, the upper and lower lock detection electrodes 36 and 37
are arranged in a manner where the distance between the outer panel
20 and the second electrode end surface 37c is longer than the
distance between the outer panel 20 and the first electrode end
surface 36c. Therefore the level of the capacitive coupling
established between the outer panel 20 and the second electrode end
surface 37c of the lower lock detection electrode 37 is set to be
smaller than the level of the capacitive coupling established
between the outer panel 20 and the first electrode end surface 36c
of the upper lock detection electrode 36. Accordingly, as
illustrated in FIG. 7 with a cross-sectional view taken along line
VII-VII in FIG. 6, when the water drop W flows into the space
portion between the outer panel 20 and the second electrode end
surface 37c of the lower lock detection electrode 37, the water
drop W is less likely to form a bridge between the outer panel 20
and the second electrode end surface 37c, because the second
electrode end surface 37c is distant away from the outer panel 20
for a longer distance. Consequently, even when the water drop W
approaches the vicinity of (i.e., comes in contact with) the lower
lock detection electrode 37, the electrostatic capacitive component
C.sub.PANEL 2 (W) may not be increased. In other words, a
sufficient clearance is provided for allowing the fluctuation of
the electric permittivity at the shortest facing portion between
the outer panel 20 and the lower lock detection electrode 37 and
the fluctuation of the electrostatic capacity, which may be caused
by ingress of the water drop W, and the like. As a result, the
ingress of the water drop W does not cause the first electrostatic
sensor 41 to malfunction.
As described above, the following effects may be obtained in the
door handle apparatus according to the embodiment.
The lock detection electrode 31 is arranged at the inner surfaces
of the upper and lower walls 12e and 12f of the second handle case
12. Therefore, the command for locking the vehicle door may not be
inputted in response to the holding operation of the door handle 10
by the user. More specifically, when the user holds the upper and
lower walls 12e and 12f of the second handle case 12 between
his/her fingers in order to input the command for locking the
vehicle door, the command for locking the vehicle door is detected
because dimensions of the detection area of the upper and lower
lock detection electrodes 36 and 37 are sufficiently obtained.
Further, because the water drop W flows from the upper to the lower
portions of the door handle 10, the water drop W may easily
accumulate at the lower portion of the door handle 10. However, the
upper and lower lock detection electrodes 36 and 37 are formed into
the different shapes from each other, so that the capacitive
coupling established between the second electrode end surface 37c
and the outer panel 20 is smaller than the capacitive coupling
established between the first electrode end surface 36c and the
outer panel 20. In other words, the upper and lower lock detection
electrodes 36 and 37 are formed so that the distance between the
outer panel 20 and the second electrode end surface 37c is set to
be greater than the distance between the outer panel 20 and the
first electrode end surface 36c. Therefore the water drop W is less
likely to form the bridge between the outer panel 20 and the second
electrode end surface 37c, compared to the first electrode end
surface 36c. Accordingly, the sufficient clearance is provided for
allowing the fluctuation of the electric permittivity at the
shortest facing portion between the outer panel 20 and the lower
lock detection electrode 37 and the fluctuation of the
electrostatic capacity, which may be caused when the water drop W
approaches (i.e., comes in contact with) the lower lock detection
electrode 37. Thus, the water drop W is less likely to form the
bridge between the outer panel 20 and the second electrode end
surface 37c, at the lower lock detection electrode 37, which may be
more likely to be affected by the water drop W. Accordingly, the
first electrostatic capacity sensor 41 may not malfunction due to
the water drop W. Further, the above-described effects are not
limited to be obtained relative to the water drop W caused by rain,
and the similar effects may be obtained relative to water drop
occurring when washing the vehicle.
The upper and lower walls 12e and 12f of the second handle case 12
are formed to be asymmetrical to each other relative to the middle
line m. Therefore, when the upper and lower lock detection
electrodes 36 and 37, which respectively include the first and
second electrode end surfaces 36c and 37c formed into the different
shapes from each other, are arranged at the inner surfaces of the
upper and lower walls 12e and 12f of the second handle case 12, the
arrangement of the upper and lower lock detection electrodes 36 and
37 are not restricted by the shape of the second handle case 12.
Further, the upper and lower walls 12e and 12f of the second handle
case 12 do not need to be formed to be symmetrical to each other
relative to the middle line m. Therefore, the door handle 10 may be
more freely designed.
The surfaces of the upper ad lower walls 12e and 12f of the second
handle case 12 are formed into uneven shapes (i.e., the serration
12g) for guiding the water drop W falling on the surfaces thereof
to flow easily. Therefore, the water drop W may not cause the
malfunction of the first electrostatic capacity sensor 41.
The lock detection electrode 31, which includes the first and
second electrode end surfaces 36c and 37c (the upper and lower lock
detection electrodes 36 and 37), is made of a metal plate and may
easily be made by pressing the metal plate.
The unlock detection electrode 32 for detecting the unlocking
operation of the vehicle door is arranged at the inner side of the
holding portion of the door handle 10. Therefore, a command for
unlocking the vehicle door is inputted in response to the holding
operation of the door handle 10 by the user, who intends to open
the vehicle door. Accordingly, the command for locking the vehicle
door and the command for unlocking the vehicle door are
appropriately distinguished. In other words, user's intention of
locking/unlocking the vehicle door is more accurately detected via
the first and second electrostatic capacity sensors 41 and 42.
Water proof sealing material or packing for covering at least the
upper and lower lock detection electrodes 36 and 37 are not
required. Further, the above-described embodiment may be modified
as follows.
A lock detection electrode 51 shown in FIG. 8 may be applied. More
specifically, a lower lock detection electrode 52 of the lock
detection electrode 51 is formed in a substantially pentagonal
shape having a first short side 52a and a second short side 52b at
the front and rear sides of the vehicle, respectively (i.e., the
substantially pentagonal shape is formed in a manner where front
and rear end portions of a substantially trapezoid shape (similar
to a shape of the upper lock detection electrode 36, and
illustrated by a double dashed line in FIG. 8) are cut out, and
then, a substantially triangular-shaped portion is further cut out
from the cutout rear end portion). In such a case, a length of a
second electrode end surface 52c, serving as a longer side and
facing the outer panel 20, of the lower lock detection electrode 52
is set to be shorter than that of the first electrode end surface
36c of the upper lock detection electrode 36. In other words, a
dimension of the second electrode end surface 52c of the lower lock
detection electrode 52 is set to be smaller than that of the first
electrode end surface of the upper lock detection electrode 36.
Consequently, a level of capacitive coupling established between
the outer panel 20 and the second electrode end surface 52c of the
lower lock detection electrode 52 is smaller than a level of
capacitive coupling established between the outer panel 20 and the
first electrode end surface 36c of the upper lock detection
electrode 36 by a level corresponding to a decreased dimension of
the second electrode end surfaces 52c. Therefore, even when the
embodiment is modified, the similar effects may be obtained.
Further, the dimension of the lower lock detection electrode 37, 52
may be set to be smaller than that of the upper lock detection
electrode 36 in a manner where the lower lock detection electrode
37, 52 and the upper lock detection electrode 36 are similar to
each other in shape but a thickness of the lower lock detection
electrode 37, 52 is set to be smaller than that of the upper lock
detection electrode 36.
In the above-described embodiment, as long as the second handle
case 12 does not interfere with the accommodation of the lock
detection electrode 31 (the upper and lower lock detection
electrodes 36 and 37), the first and second walls 12e and 12f of
the second handle case 12 may be formed in to be symmetrical to
each other relative to the middle line m.
According to the embodiment, the rotational-portion extending
portion 12b and the operational-portion extending portion 12d are
provided at the second handle case 12. However, the embodiment may
be applied to a door handle, in which each of or one of the
rotational-portion extending portion 12b and the
operational-portion extending portion 12d is provided at the first
handle case 11.
The surfaces of the upper and lower walls 12e and 12f of the second
handle case 12 are formed into uneven shapes for guiding the water
drop W falling on the surfaces thereof to flow easily. According to
such structure, for example, malfunction of the first and second
electrostatic capacity sensors 41 and 42 caused by the water drop W
is restricted.
Accordingly, the lock detection electrode 31 (the upper lock
detection electrode 36 and the lower lock detection electrode 37)
is arranged at the inner surfaces of the upper and lower walls 12e
and 12f of the second handle case 12. Therefore, the command for
locking the vehicle door may not be inputted in response to the
holding operation of the door handle 10 by the user. More
specifically, when the user holds the upper and lower walls 12e and
12f of the second handle case 12 between his/her fingers in order
to input the command for locking the vehicle door, the command for
locking the vehicle door is detected because dimension of the
detection area of the upper and lower lock detection electrodes 36
and 37 is sufficiently obtained. Further, because the water drop W
flows from the upper to the lower portions of the door handle 10,
the water drop W may easily accumulates at the lower portion of the
door handle 10. However, the upper and lower lock detection
electrodes 36 and 37 are formed into the different shapes from each
other, so that the capacitive coupling established between the
second electrode end surface 37c and the outer panel 20 is smaller
than the capacitive coupling established between the first
electrode end surface 36c and the outer panel 20. Therefore the
water drop W is less likely to form the bridge between the outer
panel 20 and the second electrode end surface 37c, compared to the
first electrode end surface 36c. Accordingly, the sufficient
clearance is provided for allowing the fluctuation of the electric
permittivity at the shortest facing portion between the outer panel
20 and the lower lock detection electrode 37 and the fluctuation of
the electrostatic capacity, which may be caused when the water drop
W approaches (i.e., comes in contact with) the lower lock detection
electrode 37. Thus, the water drop W is less likely to form the
bridge between the outer panel 20 and the second electrode end
surface 37c, at the lower lock detection electrode 37, which may be
affected by the water drop W. Accordingly, the first electrostatic
capacity sensor 41 may not malfunction due to the water drop W.
According to the embodiment, the second electrode end surface 37c,
52c of the lower lock detection electrode 37, 52 is formed so that
the distance between the second electrode end surface 37c, 52c of
the lower lock detection electrode 37, 52 and the outer panel 20 is
set to be greater than the distance between the first electrode end
surface 36c of the upper lock detection electrode 36 and the outer
panel 20.
Accordingly, the capacitive coupling established between the second
electrode end surface 37c of the lower lock detection electrode 37
and the outer panel 20 is set to be relatively smaller than the
capacitive coupling established between the first electrode end
surface 36c of the upper lock detection electrode 36.
According to the embodiment, the second electrode end surface 37c,
52c of the lower lock detection electrode 37, 52 is formed so that
a dimension of the second electrode end surface 37c, 52c of the
lower lock detection electrode 37, 52 is set to be smaller than a
dimension of the first electrode end surface 36c of the upper lock
detection electrode 36.
Accordingly, the capacitive coupling established between the second
electrode end surface 37c of the lower lock detection electrode 37
and the outer panel 20 is set to be relatively smaller than the
capacitive coupling established between the first electrode end
surface 36c of the upper lock detection electrode 36.
According to the embodiment, the upper wall 12e and the lower wall
12f of the second handle case 12 are formed to be asymmetrical to
each other relative to a middle line m, extending from the
rotational-portion extending portion 12b to the operational-portion
extending portion 12d.
Accordingly, when the upper and lower lock detection electrodes 36
and 37, which respectively include the first and second electrode
end surfaces 36c and 37c formed into the different shapes from each
other, are arranged at the inner surfaces of the upper and lower
walls 12e and 12f of the second handle case 12, the arrangement of
the upper and lower lock detection electrodes 36 and 37 is not
restricted by the shape of the second handle case 12.
According to the embodiment, the upper lock detection electrode 36
and the lower lock detection electrode 37, 52 are integrally formed
via a connecting portion 38.
According to the embodiment, the upper lock detection electrode 36
and the lower lock detection electrode 37, 52 are integrally formed
by pressing a metal plate.
Accordingly, an operational error by a user is restricted.
The principles, preferred embodiment and mode of operation of the
present invention have been described in the foregoing
specification. However, the invention which is intended to be
protected is not to be construed as limited to the particular
embodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein
are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.
Variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents
employed, without departing from the sprit of the present
invention. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such
variations, changes and equivalents which fall within the spirit
and scope of the present invention as defined in the claims, be
embraced thereby.
* * * * *